Kursk Map Shows 'Gray Zone' of Surrounded Russian Troops

Moscow's forces counterattacking Ukraine's incursion into Russia have been surrounded in one area of the Kursk region, it has been reported, as a map shows the latest state of play in the area.

Kyiv launched a surprise push into the Russian oblast administrative division on August 6, with Ukraine claiming that it had quickly captured around 500 square miles of territory.

Over the last week, Russia has responded by building up to around 35,000 troops in the area, according to Kyiv's estimates, with Moscow's forces initially having some success on the left flank of the Kursk bulge, reportedly recapturing ground.

But Roman Pogorilyi, the founder of the Ukrainian open-source intelligence outlet DeepState, told the RBC-Ukrainian news agency that there is a "very interesting 'gray' zone in the encirclement" and that Russian troops "are surrounded."

Pogorilyi said—according to a translation—that Russia's fortunes were on the wane as its troops were trying to counterattack.

"The situation is dynamic, and therefore everything is changing hands there," he added.

However, he said that it was "too early to draw any conclusions." Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.

Emil Kastehelmi, an open-source analyst tracking the war with the Black Bird Group, told Newsweek that Russia had made some minor gains on the eastern flank but not much had happened besides retaking one village.

"The Russians likely didn't aim to recapture the whole Kursk area with this operation, instead they wanted to improve their current positions. It's possible more will follow in the future," he said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces continued to advance in Glushkovsky district as Kyiv's troops had started to push toward Glushkovo and advanced south of the Korenevo urban settlement where they are conducting attacks, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) citing geolocated footage and the Russian defense ministry.

Russian forces were able to reestablish a land route from Glushkovo to Korenevo, "thus reducing the need for some of the temporary bridges over the river Seym," Kastehelmi told Newsweek.

"The new Ukrainian attacks over the border seem to be rather reactive – the timing makes me doubt they planned to begin those at this very moment," he said.

"The attacks have not had very significant success beyond the immediate border areas and some small villages—at least not yet.

"The Ukrainians are unfortunately now a bit late, as the Russians have already managed to open the supply routes and aren't as dependent on the temporary bridges anymore."

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